Traumatic injuries of thoracic organs in dogs and cats in the context of clinical severity assessment

A retrospective, multidisciplinary study was conducted in 2020–2025 at the private veterinary medical center “DOVIRA” (Kharkiv, Ukraine), enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the structure of radiographic signs of thoracic organ injuries in small animals. The study sample included 137 dogs and cats admitted with signs of traumatic disease caused by blunt or sharp objects. Inclusion criteria included the presence of clinical signs of trauma and the performance of digital radiography of the thoracic organs, ensuring a well-founded, standardized approach to forming the study group. Anamnesis was collected comprehensively, taking into account the etiology of trauma and changes in the general condition of the animals, with particular emphasis on injury mechanisms and temporal characteristics of trauma. Clinical examination included assessment of general condition, body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as auscultation, palpation of the thoracic wall, and evaluation of mucous membrane color, which allowed for a justified determination of the severity of the animals’ condition. Dyspnea was identified as the most common clinical manifestation in dogs and cats (21.31 % and 14.47 %, respectively). The most prevalent radiographic patterns of injury were pulmonary atelectasis and lung contusion. It was demonstrated that the frequency of clinical manifestations was slightly higher in cats, highlighting species-specific physiological responses to trauma. Notably, no apparent external abnormalities were detected in 42.1 % of cats and 47.54 % of dogs, indicating the limited sensitivity of physical examination alone. It was substantiated that only 21.9 % of animals required emergency therapeutic intervention based on digital radiography findings. A direct association between specific radiographic patterns and deviations in physiological parameters was established. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to assessing injured animals, combining clinical examination with digital radiography, as this enhances diagnostic value and supports the selection of appropriate treatment strategies.